Beasts

By Angelina Kanan

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"Hey," I felt a warm hand reach out towards mine. I tried to avoid it, not wanting him to get the satisfaction of seeing how my body reacted to his, but he was too quick. Warmth spread, tingles shooting like wildfire up my arm. I pulled away quickly and turned to face him. I kept my face straight, determined to make him leave me alone. 

 

"Don't do that." His voice was low and soft as he took a step closer, not caring that he was invading my personal bubble. I had to tilt my head back to look at him, his dark eyes softening the longer I looked. One of his hands slowly rose, causing me to inhale sharply. I froze, unsure what he intended to do. Was he really going to touch me? After everything? He slipped some hair behind my ear and out of my face. "Don't shut me out, Selene." His voice was pleading, something I assumed didn't happen often. 

 

I glanced away, conflicted. A part of me really wanted nothing to do with him, but an even bigger part was just afraid. I didn't want to have him and lose him like I had with Gabby. I shook my head and took a step back. "I'm sorry." 

 

********** 

 

Decades ago, the lycan Lord Drakov began to conquer every werewolf pack he came across, laying waste to all who refused to submit and ruled over those too weak to defy him. His kind was blessed with superior abilities; Lycans being stronger, bigger, and faster than the werewolves. It didn't take them long to cause considerable damage to the wolves. Until the Deserter came. The prince betrayed his father by calling upon the reapers to end the war. Since then, the lycans and wolves have been separated, fear preventing them from co-existing with one another. Until now. 
 
Hybrids were supposed to be extinct. A cannibalistic breed, half-human and half-wolf, driven by madness and hunger. However, sightings are becoming more frequent, forcing the werewolves to seek help from the lycans to stop them before it's too late. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angelina Kanan
• Release date: Oct 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215439111

Angelina Kanan

Angelina Kanan is an ESL tutor who’s always had a love for art. From singing and acting to cooking and knitting, she’s constantly looking for fresh ways to be inspired. It made sense when she finally returned to writing and began working on Paranormal Romance. After growing up reading and creating, she found the perfect way to express herself. 

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Ismelled it before I heard anything. The distinct smell of rotting flesh filled the air, bringing with it a feeling of dread. Leaves crinkled softly as the creature moved through the forest. I stilled to be sure that I could hear correctly. The footsteps seemed to be going farther away from me, something that didn’t make sense. I’d only smelled this scent once before, and if it was what I thought it was, it should be coming towards me. I let out a curse, realizing that I would have to hunt it down. He was probably toying with me, trying to lure me to a ground he recognized where he would have the advantage.

For the first time in years, I began to regret not having a pack. This would be the perfect moment to link with someone to alert them of the danger. And to give myself a chance of being found should I get injured. I sighed, knowing this was a problem I’d have to fix when I made it home. Maverick would be over the moon, finally getting his wish, and I would have to deal with them. I looked up at the moon, silently pleading for mercy. Three monsters from my past all at once; the moon really was a cruel goddess.

I began to move forward. It wasn’t a very full moon tonight, creating a blanket of darkness that I welcomed gratefully. This beast may think he has the upper hand here, but I knew these woods like the back of my hand. I weaved in and out of trees in a pattern that I knew would take me to the monster. I would come around from the side and stop it before it got to wherever it planned to hide. Or so I thought. There was a low whimpering coming from the beast before it collapsed on the forest floor. It was weak, I realized. It hadn’t been trying to lure me anywhere; it was hurting and trying to escape.

I felt the hair on my body stand up as fear crept over me the closer I approached it. It lay on the ground, looking up at me through tired eyes. As I had thought, it was half human half beast. There were patches of fur surrounding its disgusting body, all matted and caked in blood. The blood seemed to belong to the beast, knowing that if it wasn’t their blood, it wouldn’t be dead right now. I watched it closely for any signs that it was faking. The beast let out a little whine, moving his head in an attempt to show me his neck. He was submitting to me, leaving me dumfounded. From what I knew about these beings, they were crazed, acting out of bloodlust and unable to think.

I walked around him to assess how hurt he was. The sight brought back painful memories from a different time and place. With the small amount of light the moon offered, I could hardly see the details on him, but I remembered enough. I knew the skin would be a sunken grayish- yellow, stretched along its body tightly. The bones would be outlined distinctly. Depending on how recently the monster was turned, there would be yellow claws and teeth, covered in blood and ready to devour. My wolf hissed in my mind to back up before I let history repeat itself.

I couldn’t bring myself to kill the beast. I wasn’t certain if it was because I wanted to try and rewrite history by helping him or if I wanted him to suffer. I chose the latter and decided to wait as he died. There was no need for me to trouble myself with the violence, so I lay a few feet away from him, watching and waiting silently. I couldn’t trust that he would die if I left him here, so I made sure to stay close by as proof that he died.

By morning, the beast had faded to dust, proving that he had been an incredibly old monster. I sighed tiredly. I had run away to avoid this, yet it managed to follow me here. I heard my name being called and before I knew it, I heard frantic running. It sounded like a human, but I knew Maverick better than that. If I had been hurt, he’d have been useless as a human; too slow and unable to track me by my scent. There was no way he’d come out to find me in human form. I curled up in a ball so the human wouldn’t realize that I was a larger wolf than I should’ve been. Being half lycan sometimes made things more difficult.

As soon as I saw the ugly crocs, I paused. I looked up at him slowly, shocked that I had been wrong. At the sight of me, Maverick ran his hands through his brown hair, tugging on it. He was clearly upset with me, but at the moment I didn’t care. Maverick really came out here in human form. What kind of idiot?

Seriously? he asked. What the hell are you doing out here? I growled lowly at him, my wolf not liking his tone. I had temporarily forgotten to be upset about him not having turned. I jerked my head in the direction of our house to let him know that I would explain everything once we got back. Before I could take off in that direction, he was kneeling in front of me, peering at me closely. His green eyes met mine and refused to look away. It seemed like he was searching for something. My wolf paced in my mind as he maintained eye contact, thinking he was challenging her. Instead, he brought his hand up and stroked my dark fur, letting out a relieved sigh. I was worried, Selene. Whether he meant to or not, his tone was accusatory. I knew exactly what he was thinking. I sighed again and jerked my head for us to get moving. Unfortunately, I knew I wouldn’t like what he had to say.

We walked back to the pack house in silence. One of his hands stayed in my hair, petting me in an attempt to relax me. He was aware of my realization, and he recognized that it wasn’t an easy decision for me to agree to. I had demons I still hadn’t faced, and this wouldn’t make any of that better.

I could sense the agitation of Clyde and Diana as we walked through the doors. I ignored their anger and went to my room to change before meeting them in the living room. Maverick and Diana were sitting on the love seat across from the TV. Maverick had his feet up on the coffee table, scrolling through the channels on the TV, one arm around his mate. Clyde was laying down on my recliner. I scowled. We had all chosen to pick our own furniture when we bought the house, and Clyde had turned down the recliner. I refused to sit on his beanbag chair and chose to sit on the arm of the love seat with Maverick and Diana.

Knowing they all expected an explanation; I began talking. I didn’t need to wait for them to lecture me. I saw a hybrid.

As soon as I said it, I saw the amusement. Diana started to laugh and Maverick coughed. I could tell they didn’t believe me. It reminded me of before. Gabby had come home saying the same thing. Dad and Jackson had laughed- hell, everyone had laughed at her. I blinked my eyes quickly, willing the memories to go away before they went too far. I couldn’t afford to lose control right now. I needed them to believe me.

Clyde sat up, ignoring the other two. He closed the recliner and leaned forward, studying me intently. His blue- green eyes scanned every inch of my face. Clyde nodded. Okay. You saw a hybrid. Diana and Maverick turned to him in surprise.

That’s impossible, Diana said shrugging. Everyone knows they’re a myth.

It’s worth hearing her out, isn’t it? Clyde turned to Diana, raising his brow.

I sighed again. It’s not impossible. They’re real, and they’re dangerous. I didn’t think I’d ever run into them again, but here we are.

You’ve seen them before? Maverick asked.

Diana hit his arm, We can handle that later. Are you okay? Did you get hurt? We just assumed you went out for a run and lost track of time again.

I nodded, I’m fine, he was dying- he did die, actually. I had a habit of losing track of time when I went out and it tended to worry them. Which is why they had been planning another lecture. They’d go on and on about how rogue wolves are the ones that get attacked and I should stay safe. I loved them for caring, but it got annoying.

This is why we tell you not to go out for too long, Clyde snapped. It could have been anything out there that could attack you. A hybrid isn’t even a threat we’re prepared for.

Maverick looked at me, his face serious. We need to register as a pack, Selene. I felt sick, knowing he was right. If we were a pack, we’d be able to mind-link. We’d be able to help one another if something happened. It’s not safe that we can’t communicate with you.

I know. I hesitated. The hybrid problem was what drove me away from a pack, and now it would be what forced me to be in another one. I knew we would never have a repeat of what happened, but the memories were too painful for me. Besides, I didn’t want to be an alpha, and I certainly didn’t want to have to go see the reapers. Those creepy monsters had no souls.

I know it’s tough, Diana said. "I assume it’s because of your old pack, and I don’t know what they did, but I promise it won’t turn out the same way.

Besides, Maverick added, We already live like a pack anyway. He had moved so he was now laying on Diana, a reminder that he lived with us, rather than alone with his mate.

Clyde grabbed the remote out of Mavericks hand and hit him on the head, Get off my sister. He glanced at me for a second and I knew he had done it for some kind of reaction from me. He had a little smirk on his face, letting Maverick know he was only slightly joking. It was out of character for him to attempt to brighten the mood, but I appreciated his effort.

Maverick pouted, playing along. You’re just jealous. And the moment was over. Everyone quickly turned serious again at the thought of Clyde’s mate. About 4 years ago, Clyde and his mate had been hunting near their pack when a group of campers had heard them. The campers got scared. One of them ended up shooting Lydia, causing Clyde to kill the whole group. As a result, Clyde was exiled from his pack for killing innocent humans, and his sister followed. Two years later, they found me and Maverick and chose to stick with us

What does it mean, though? I’ve never seen a pack registration, so what do you have to do? Diana pushed Maverick off of her, trying to change the subject to spare her brother some pain.

I’ll have to go to Lunar Island. That’s where the Council of reapers lives. They have to accept my plea for a pack and assign me a reaper to watch over the pack. That should earn a certificate or something allowing me to expand and such. Maverick reached out and grabbed my hand, knowing how much I hated the reapers. Each pack had one. They were there to help keep the peace between the lycans and the wolves, making sure the alphas followed their laws.

You can’t go by yourself, sweetie. Lycans are dangerous! Diana looked at me, letting me know there was no changing her mind.

Do either of you think before you speak? Clyde glared at the mated pair on the couch, referencing Maverick’s comment earlier. She’s half-lycan, Di. He reminded his sister, with a point in my direction.

Shit, Selene, I’m sorry! I totally wasn’t thinking-

I held up a hand to stop Diana. It’s fine, I get it, I don’t trust them either. And I wasn’t planning on going alone. I’ll need my beta.

CHAPTER 2

We had arrived on Lunar Island earlier this morning. They had escorted us straight to the castle and into rooms. I wasn’t complaining, though. I felt no need to endanger Maverick. I may share their blood, but he was a werewolf, and I was raised around wolves. I didn’t want to deal with anyone who still harbored hatred toward them.

The lycan in me whined at not even getting a glimpse around the island. This would’ve been my home had my mother mated to a lycan. Unfortunately for all of us, her mate was an alpha wolf. That prevented him from joining her on this island. My mother, smitten with my father, gave up her life to join his pack. Sadly, I mean that literally. The pack elected to have my mother killed. The lycans were exiled to their island, and matings wouldn’t stop that. Bishop Tate, the reaper of Old Moon pack, agreed, and sentenced my mother to her death. Dad was powerless to stop them.

Remind me why I have to be your beta, and not Clyde? Maverick whined.

I looked at him, glad to put an end to the thoughts running through my mind. They were headed in a dangerous direction, and this was the last place I needed to lose control.

I looked around the room before answering him. They had set us up nicely, Maverick and I having neighboring rooms. A king-sized bed stood out in the middle, a chandelier hanging in the center of the room. There were 2 mahogany dressers along one wall with a circular mirror above them. The carpet was a deep burgundy. Dad used to tell me that was Mom’s favorite color. I sighed before giving Maverick an answer. You know more about my past. And you would be beta of your old pack.

His eyes flashed, anger and pain hidden behind them. You could just tell Clyde.

I looked at him, refusing to feel guilty for putting him through this. I was only playing as dirty as he was. You all voted me alpha because I have alpha and lycan blood. Why can’t I make you beta because you have beta blood?

Maverick was sitting up on the bed, his back facing me, shoulders slumped in shame. His voice was quiet when he spoke, Because I failed them.

Maverick had left his old pack to visit some friends who went to school out of state. He had left his pack behind in not-so-stable conditions. There were tensions brewing between his pack and a neighboring one over some land. When Maverick came back, he found his pack had been conquered by the other one. The new alpha wasn’t very welcoming, and Maverick had lost so many friends and family that he ran away. That was when I found him.

An image of Gabby popped into my mind, as I thought about my old pack, as well. I turned to the mirror, deciding to put my hair into my signature messy French braid. It was a way to calm myself down, while also making sure my hair was out of my way. I failed my pack, too. We understand each other, and we’ll prevent history from repeating itself. Together. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it without him. He understood my pain and knew how to get through to me when I lost control.

I don’t really have a choice, seeing as I’m already surrounded by lycans, He playfully glared at me.

There was a loud knock on the door before it opened, and a guard stepped in. Every guardian on the island had a moon tattooed on one of their arms. It was a sign that the moon had blessed them for dedicating their life to protecting another. Werewolves found it archaic and opted not to follow the tradition, making it a rare honor. His skin was tan, like every lycan on the island, and his face was serious. Prince Lucian would like to speak with you. He announced. I will escort you now, if you are ready.

Maverick looked at me, panic written all over his face. Is that the Deserter? he whispered frantically.

I chuckled and shook my head, following the guard out of the room. The hallways were long and narrow, paintings lining the walls. It seemed very medieval, torches on the walls casting shadows as we walked. Lucian is the bastard son of the tyrant lord. Maverick let out a sigh of relief. The Deserter, Sebastian Drakov, was the oldest son of the tyrant lord. Legend has it he killed his own mother, and later betrayed his father and got him killed, too. In his defense, he ended a war and saved all the werewolves, but still. It takes a certain amount of cruelty to turn your back on your own family. An image of my own father appeared in my mind, making me scowl.

Has something offended you? An unfamiliar voice filled my ears as I froze, not realizing we had entered the throne room. The walls were massive, leading to a high pointed ceiling. There were circular windows on every wall to allow for the moon or sun to shine through. The throne was made of marble, the moon phases carved across the curve at the top. There were claw marks decorating it, as though someone had the strength to scratch through the stone. I glanced up and noticed a man was looking at me, waiting for an answer. He had a well-sculpted jawline, brown stubble not doing much to hide it. His deep brown eyes held a fire that made me want to leave immediately

Way to go, Selene. I sighed inwardly. Not at all, just lost in old memories.

Ah, the beautiful man said, rising from the seat and coming towards us. I would hate to be the poor lad who put that murderous glint in your eyes, angel. I nodded at him, uncomfortable talking about it, and choosing to ignore his nickname. Lucian Drakov at your service, he bowed low, lifting my hand and placing a warm kiss on my knuckles.

My wolf howled, agitated for some reason and I felt dizzy. I pulled my hand away from him and took a step back. I was under the impression that your brother ran this island? I glanced at Maverick, wondering if he was having weird feelings from this guy, too. His face gave nothing away. Stupid beta.

Whoever informed you of that is correct. Sebastian does reside as Lord Drakov. He stated with a smile that seemed well-rehearsed. I studied his face, trying to read him. I wasn’t on this island for the lycans, so I wasn’t sure why he bothered with me.

What do you want? I wasn’t in the mood for games. I came here to deal with reapers and move on, I didn’t sign up for this.

His smile grew, something wicked in his eyes. Well, you don’t waste time, do you? I smelled the lycan on you and I was curious about who you were.

Selene Night, I said. My mother was a lycan.

Was? I’m sorry to hear that. His eyes were serious, and for a second, I tried to remember what I knew about his mother, wondering if he knew my pain. I realized I’d never heard what happened to her. Are you here to visit the island to learn more about your kind?

Did he not know why people stayed in his family’s castle? What kind of security did they have going on here? No, I’m registering for my pack.

He grimaced slightly, I do not envy you, angel. The reapers give me the creeps. He paused, confusion taking over his face. Wait a second... Are you registering as an alpha? He spoke slowly, as if he almost didn’t believe it. I narrowed my eyes, not liking his tone. My lycan blood strengthened me; I would be a powerful alpha. Actually, it’s a glorious idea. The werewolves need someone new to shake things up. He smiled at me, but the unpleasant feeling from before was back. I did not like this guy.

Where’s your brother? Maverick spoke up, his own face showing that he also didn’t trust Lucian.

Oh, he’s somewhere on the island attending to business. He waved his hand dismissively. You’ll be gone before he comes back. I’m sure the reapers already know you’re here; they like to make quick work of these things. It was nice meeting you. He waved at the guard, and we were ushered out of the throne room. Hopefully soon we’d be on our way to the reapers.

CHAPTER 3

It was nothing like I had expected. My wolf was going ballistic and I could only assume it was because of the feeling of being around a reaper again. She was scratching and clawing at my mind to let her out as I sat in the room. The council of reapers had desks across the room, five members sitting there, staring at me. They didn’t seem thrilled to hear that a female was here to create a pack, let alone one made up of only 4 people. They felt like I was here wasting time because my pack would be wiped out by a more powerful alpha.

The room was filled with a coldness that brought up feelings of loss. It was like death lingered in the air, sucking the life and warmth out of everything near it. It made sense why it felt like this. Reapers were the bridge between this world and the next. They were mostly responsible for the passing of souls, and they were very arrogant about it. They thought it made them untouchable. No one dared touch a reaper, giving them the authority and respect they felt they deserved. They had the honor of watching over packs and ensuring that laws were followed. In my experience, they were emotionless and cold, not caring who got hurt carrying out their stupid laws.

So, Maverick dragged out the word slowly, reminding me we were in a meeting. She can start the pack, then?

I stared at him, unable to believe his ease with talking to them. Did he not feel the same agitation as me? The longer I spent here, the more anxious and agitated I felt. I had a headache that was taking over my thoughts, making it hard for me to concentrate on anything. There was an itch in my blood, urging me to go somewhere. If my body and wolf were having this strong of a reaction, why wasn’t Maverick? I obviously needed to get off this island.

As we stated previously, it would be a waste of resources. The reaper who spoke was a thin man with no hair on his head. His name was Markus, and he seemed to be in charge, sitting in the center of the group of men. Most of them looked old, wrinkles already setting into their faces, something I knew was a choice for them. They got to choose if they wanted to age or not, leading me to believe these guys were actually older than most reapers.

A waste of- all we need is a reaper for our pack! Maverick scoffed. I shook my head. Maverick was really out here trying to piss the council off. I glared at him, silently willing him to shut